INTRODUCTION 



I stood to-day beneath a mighty tree, 



And gazed upon its lofty trunk and crown, 



Scarred body, branches gnarled and leaves of brown, 



In silence looking upward, wonderingly. 



Full oft have I thus pondered on the sea, 



Or on the mountains when the sun was down, 



Upon their age and grandeur, or the sound 



Of rushing waters and the whispering breeze 



To waken and inspire the best in me. 



Comes then the thought of those strong men I've known, 



Who've stood and fought their battles, like this tree; 



They know it not, but when each deed is done 



Of theirs, I marvel e'en as silently, 



And owe them each small victory I have won! l 



J. R. S. 



FROM the days of Eden, when the 

 apple tree went on record as the 

 first historic specimen of its kind in 

 the world, trees have ever been closely 

 connected with human history. If we speak 

 from the broad standpoint of trees as a 

 community, and seek out their influence as 

 applied to a given portion of the earth's 



1 The above quotation by the author is reprinted here by 

 courtesy of American Forestry. 



